The Importance of Voluntary Boards and Management Committees

Every charity, regardless of size, has a board of management. There are a few different names for it - trustees, board, committee, and so on. At its core, a board of management is the backbone of the charity. As a team, they oversee just about everything that a charity needs to make it function - finance, planning, ensuring the organisation adheres to regulatory requirements, leading and supporting volunteers, and ultimately, making sure that the charity is actively working towards its philanthropic goals.

Just like general volunteer roles, board membership can be a fantastic way to use your strengths and experiences to improve your community, as well as a way to build on new skills. However, because board roles are more formal than volunteer positions, finding members can be more difficult than finding volunteers, and likewise, volunteers may be hesitant to apply for board member roles because they don’t feel experienced enough.

Thankfully, Louth Volunteer Centre has plenty of resources for both charities and prospective board members alike. A diverse boardroom leads to a better and more productive charity, so don’t be afraid of putting yourself out there!

For Volunteers

Louth Volunteer Centre - Training Programme for Prospective Board Members

Louth Volunteer Centre has designed the Empowering You Empowering Our Community programme specifically for people who wish to join a board management committee, but who have no prior experience in a similar role. This is a fantastic starting point for anyone who would like to become a board member. This course is comprehensive and practical, and will equip participants with all of the skills and knowledge needed to take on a board membership. Of course, it will also be a great chance to network with like minded people!

This is the second time we are running the course, and we’ve seen great success with it - the previous programme was completely booked out, and every one of the participants reported that they’d seen a huge boost to their knowledge and confidence.

And most importantly, this programme is completely free. The next course begins on September 15th at 6:30pm, and it will run for six consecutive weeks every Wednesday evening. You can find more details, including testimonials from previous participants here, and you can sign up here.

For Organisations

Louth Volunteer Centre has a number of resources for organisations that are hoping to recruit new board members.

i-VOL

I-VOL is the national volunteering database and a central hub for volunteers looking for opportunities at all levels. You can post board member positions for free on i-vol.I-VOL’s user base is very diverse, and people who register with them have a variety of skills and experience. In 2020 48% of IVOL registrations were under 35, and volunteers from 67 nationalities expressed an interest in helping out groups in the community. Registering your board role on I-VOL helps you to tap into this diversity of experience and reach people who wouldn’t necessarily be aware of or find your organisation in their everyday life. To register your organisation with i-vol, you can click here or if you are already registered you can upload your new volunteer role here. If you are a community organisation based in Louth, you can always reach out to us with any questions you might have on the process.

Community Leadership Program

If your organisation is looking to take on new members, or if you want to improve your pre-existing board’s leadership skills, you might be interested in Louth Leading the Way. This programme aims to increase understanding and appreciation for other cultures and communities, which will be a huge asset to the team when new members come onboard.

Louth Leading the Way is a bespoke programme that can be tailored to the individual organisation’s needs. It is a fantastic opportunity to grow your team’s strengths and figure out what direction will best lead to leadership success.

You can find more information here, and you can contact This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. to express your interest.

Individual Training

If you’re an individual involved with a charitable organisation and interested in leadership training, you can also take part in our comprehensive leadership programme. This programme can help you to improve your conflict management skills, understand team dynamics, and identify your own leadership style in the context of participation in a charitable organisation. You can find more information here, and you can register your interest here

As always, if you have any questions or concerns, you can always reach out to Louth Volunteer Centre, and we can point you in the right direction.

Happy volunteering!